Measuring your own commitment
level to Christ

Self Test: Will you pass?

Gauging the health of our national economy is a difficult task.
There are, however, a number of external indicators that will
collectively give us a general idea. Some of these include the
unemployment rate, interest rates and the number of new homes
being constructed. When you average all the results, you will
get a feel for how good or bad the economy is doing.

It can be difficult to get an accurate picture of how good or
bad we are doing as Christians. This is because our true spiritual
condition is not something that can be seen with human eyes. God
has said, "man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks
at the heart". (1 Samuel 16:7 ) We can, however, get a general
idea of our spiritual condition and our commitment level with
6 external indicators. They are the visible aspects of your faith
that others can see. Jesus said, "you will know them by their
fruits" (Matthew 7:20) Although other men cannot read your
heart, they can get a glimpse of it by looking at the outward
evidence of your inward faith in God.

Weekly attendance

We are commanded by God to attend with the church every Sunday.
"Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together
as is the habit of some" (Hebrews 10:24). Our weekly attendance
habits are the most obvious spiritual indicators that others see.
When a newborn wakes up for the 5th time that night, the mother
doesn't jump out of bed and say, "Oh Junior. I'm so glad
you woke me up again. I haven't seen you in over 1/2 an hour!
More likely she will grumble to herself, "My mother always
said she would get even with me when I had kids of my own."
Yet, although she would rather sleep in bed, the mother always
attends to the baby. She gets up, not because she wants to, but
because she is committed to the child in love. Her feelings tell
her to stay in bed, but her commitment to the child makes her
get up. This is the kind of commitment you must have to the Lord.
When Jesus calls you out of bed Sunday morning to go the assembly,
you might feel like sleeping in, but your commitment to Jesus
makes you get up. In this way weekly attendance is truly an outward
indicator of your commitment level.

EVALUATE YOURSELF

Committed

Average

Poor

Your weekly attendance

?

?

?

PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY

Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ".
Faith is not the product of some mysterious process. Rather it
comes from the Bible as we read and study it. God speaks to us
today through the scriptures. We can know God's will. There is
no guess work, because He has revealed it in print. How much time
do you spend with the Bible on a private basis? Do you study the
Bible for in depth information? Do you read it daily just to keep
familiar with the basic content of the scriptures? The time you
spend with the Bible is an external indication of how much faith
you have.

EVALUATE YOURSELF

Committed

Average

Poor

Your Bible study time

?

?

?

PRIVATE PRAYER

The New Testament describes the prayers of Christians as sweet
smelling incense that rises up to the throne of God. (Rev 5:8)
We communicate our innermost thoughts and feeling to God through
prayer. How much time do you spend in prayer apart from giving
of thanks at meals? Are you a sweet smelling fragrance to God?

EVALUATE YOURSELF

Committed

Average

Poor

Your prayer life

?

?

?

MORAL CONDUCT

Fellow church-members may have nothing but praise for you. The
true test, however, is how you conduct yourself in your home.
You may be able to put on a false front for your neighbours, but
your husband/wife & children see you as you really are. It
is easy to put on a show of righteousness when you are in a crowd,
but who are you when no one is looking? You may fool others, but
you can't fool God, for nothing is hidden from His sight!

EVALUATE YOURSELF

Committed

Average

Poor

Your moral conduct

?

?

?

EVANGELISM

Evangelism is telling others about the Gospel of Christ. Most
people think of evangelism as something that the preacher it paid
to do. The Bible teaches, however, that every Christian has the
responsibility to evangelize. "Always be ready to make a
defence to everyone who asks you to give an account of the hope
that is in you." 1 Peter 3:15 Do you openly talk to non-Christians
about Christ? Have you been involved in at least one Bible study
with a lost friend in the last year? Would you consider yourself
involved in evangelism at all?

EVALUATE YOURSELF

Committed

Average

Poor

Your outreach efforts

?

?

?

GIVING

"Now concerning the collection for the saints...On the first
day of every week let each one of you lay by in store as he may
be prospered." (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) Christians are under
the obligation to give money into the church's treasury every
Sunday. Money is a touchy subject because it is closely connected
with the material things we desire most. It represents the most
tangible form of self sacrifice. The Bible teaches that Christians
should know in advance, the amount they will give. In practice,
however, many merely give the loose change in their pockets when
the collection plate is passed. They simply "tip" the
Lord. The reason people do not give to the church as God expects
is found in 2 Cor 8:5. "They gave themselves first to the
Lord then to us in keeping with God's will." If you have
"given yourself" to God, you will have no problem giving
generously of your finances. The amount of money you give each
week relative to your ability, is an external indicator of how
committed to God you are. Would you describe yourself as a sacrificial
giver?

EVALUATE YOURSELF

Committed

Average

Poor

Your weekly giving

?

?

?

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the question we have been asking is, "Have
you given yourself first to the Lord"? Really, that is the
issue we are talking about. Your level of commitment to the Lord
is a matter determined within your own heart. But the six things
we have talked about here, are external indicators of your spiritual
level of commitment. 2 Cor 13:5 "Examine yourself to see
if you are in the faith, if indeed to pass the test." How
did you do as you examined your faith as other men see it?